A classic passage from the Scriptures of lament, this reading from the prophet Joel calls on the listener to repent not simply with exterior actions, but also with the heart. It is also at a dark point in the people’s history, when an army is waging war on them, that the call to genuine repentence comes from Joel. It is paradoxical that when we are at our lowest ebb that we are most open to the divine. This reading speaks to the changed fortunes of our own people in recent years.

2nd Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:20 – 6:2

The letters of St Paul to the Church at Corinth arise out of differences between the Apostle and the Church that he was instrumental in founding. The Corinthians believe that they know better than St Paul, and they challenge his authority. In this reading, St Paul challenges the Corinthians to “be reconciled to God”. This critique of the community of faith is one that is relevant to us as well. We too think that we know better and that we have little or nothing to learn. We are challenged to learn about our own inadequacies as a community of faith, coming from what we believe to be a rich and proud tradition.

Gospel

Matthew 6:1-6. 16-18

Notice that today’s gospel omits the section of Matthew from verse 7 to 15, which is the core teaching of Jesus on prayer – the Our Father. Perhaps today is more about what is not said, than what is said. This passage focuses on the how and why of the Christian life. Why do we give alms, and fast, and pray? How should we give alms, and fast, and pray? The answers that we come up with to these questions have the power to renew us in the Christian life.

Homily Notes

The ashes that we use today symbolise the wisdom of gospel – the ‘how and why‘ of the Christian Way. As we journey around our own community today, at work or at school, in the office or on the bus, we notice the other people who have received ashes on their foreheads. We share a visible, common bond with them; the common bond of renewing our journey of faith, together, over this period of Lent. This bond, which today we see on the foreheads of those who follow the Christian Way with us, points to the common bond that we share with all of humanity – the realities of life and death, of love and grief, of healing and illness, of joy and sorrow.

In wearing this sign of our renewal in Christ, we show solidarity with the poor and the destitute, and we celebrate the new hope and new life that spring out of moments of grief, suffering and pain. We celebrate the families of Northern Uganda who survived the Barlonyo massacre of Saturday, February 21st, 2004. We show solidarity with Daniel, his mother Betty, and father Joel. Our fasting today is not only about our individual penitence, or our own spiritual growth. Our fasting is a real and substantial solidarity with Daniel and his family. What we save by fasting today is the means of our almsgiving tomorrow. Almsgiving, the restoration of justice, is a core reason for fasting. And our prayer draws us deeper into the solidarity and communion we share with Daniel, his family and with God.

“Medical Priority”. I think that many of you will understand the term much better than I do. I understand it to mean that the patient with the greatest medical need gets the priority in hospital, and in particular the Emergency area. Many patients with relatively mild injuries have found themselves frustrated, waiting around because of the ‘Medical Priority’ system. It means that another patient can arrive just as I am about to be seen by the medical team and just like that I can find myself back in the waiting area. ‘Medical Priority’ is frustrating for some patients but it is very necessary to save lives.

The paralytic in this morning’s gospel is first on the medical priority list. He needs The Physician, and quickly! There has to be a way around the queue, around the crowd of people that have gathered to greet the Powerful One who has returned to Capernaum. The crowd are a hindrance in getting the person with the most need to Jesus. The crowd are selfish, crowding out the needy, paralysed one.

What is it that has paralysed this man? We can easily jump to conclusions. We might assume the paralysis to be physical in nature and it may well have been. But, it takes courage to hear the Good News of the gospel addressed to me and you personally: what is it that paralyses you? What paralyses me?

It may seem strange to you but a short while ago we were all paralysed! Well, at least those of us who were asleep were! During some of our sleep state our brain temporarily paralyses our body so that we don’t act out whats happening in our dreams!

(You may have seen this happen to a dog who is in deep sleep: they may give partial yelps or growls and even you can watch their paws twitch as if they were running in their sleep!)

So, waking from sleep is a coming around from a form of paralysis. Sometimes we can hear the gospel in a new way that wakes us up from our slumber: indeed some have commented that the vast majority of Christians are in a kind of ‘sleep-state’ in regard to their faith – they are duped into a kind of paralysis. Sometimes this paralysis can lead us into the darkness of sin, walking along with blinkers on. Sometimes it is other people, sharing their faith with us that can wake us up to the reality of God.

Maybe you can think of four people who have carried you to the Lord in some way, just like the four people in the gospel who went to great lengths to get the paralytic to Jesus. Think of those who have shared their faith with you, especially those who were gently encouraging and not forceful. Think of those who have had a Mass celebrated for you, or offered to pray for you. Maybe someone who has listened to you and shared some problem or burden. Those who may have sympathised with you in your grief at the death of a loved one.

The wisdom of the gospel today is to not so much be cured in the medical sense as to be healed in the heart sense: ‘My child, your sins are forgiven.’ Sometimes we don’t even know we have sinned until it is revealed to us afterwards. Sometimes we don’t even recognise that we are paralysed. Today is a day to allow our hearts to be healed by the Lord, to be set free from whatever paralysis affects us.

We are nearing another important event – the 23rd DVP National Convention to be hosted by the Diocese of Marbel at the Notre Dame of Dadiangas University, General Santos City from April 16 – 20, 2012.

The Convention has the following details:

Theme:
Creating a “Culture” that Witnesses and Awakens Vocations in the Local Church

General Objective :
To emphasize the importance of creating a “culture of vocations” in all ecclesiastical jurisdictions, parishes, congregations, basic ecclesial communities (BECs), schools and families.

Specific Objectives :
To collaborate, build and network with each Diocese/Congregation for a “culture of vocations”.
To have a meaningful encounter with Bishops, Religious Superiors, Vocation Directors/Directresses and Lay Promoters.
To share and listen to the present situations of vocation awareness and promotions in the Local Churches.
To come up with a workable and relevant Constitution and By-Laws of DVP for a more effective and integrated vocation promotions.
To reflect on the message of the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI for the 49th World Day of Prayer for Vocations.

As I beseech you to be part of the said gathering, I humbly beg you also to please include in your community prayers and intentions the success of our 23rd National Vocation Convention as we altogether implore the maternal guidance of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Vocations.